12-OCT-2022; Napoli - Ajax; CL Match Day 4

[Orange14]

A trip to Naples and a prayer to avoid a humiliating defeat to the Italian team awaits Ajax this week. I hope they don't play as poorly as this past week. A draw would be a fine result and likely clinch a knockout spot for Napoli; a win is likely a mile too far the club is currently playing. I'm still stunned that Tadic played 60 minutes today. It was telling that Concelcao came off the bench at RW rather than the more expeienced Ocampos. I assume the back line will be the same as today with Slo-Mo Blind at CB. I imagine the front line will be: Berghuis, Kudus, Bergwijn with Klaassen at 10. We'll see on Wednesday.

[Orange14]

Tadic is suspended and both Rensch and Kaplan are injured for the return fixture. Both Sanchez and Wijndal were back in training and are traveling to Naples. I don't know whether either can play a full 90 minutes. My preferred lineup would be: Pasveer; Sanchez, Timber, Blind, Bassey; Alvarez, Taylor, Berghuis; Concelcao, Brobbey, Bergwijn I'm sure Schreuder will start Kudus at 9 yet again.

I hope he has figured out tactically how to get the build up going. One thing that occurred to me is to drop Alvarez much deeper and use Timber as a middle right outlet pass for Pasveer.

[Tom_]

I just can’t see how building up from the back will succeed against a good pressing team with the usual lineup. I think they’re better off sitting back and hoping for counter attacks. Not very Ajax, but I’d rather not concede another 4 goals.

[kezme44]

schreuder said today in the press conference that there is no need to change our own game, so presumably this means we will play the same game on Wednesday? sounds like a disaster and I hope he was joking

[Jinne]

Stubborn man.

[Orange14]

For the first time in a long time, I go into a match with no expectations of a positive result from Ajax. Juventus supporters are going through the same thing with their club right now which is a total disaster, worse than Ajax.

[Orange14]

Lineup for today: Pasveer; Sánchez, Timber, Blind, Bassey; Álvarez, Taylor, Klaassen; Berghuis, Kudus, Bergwijn

[kezme44]

For the first time in a long time, I go into a match with no expectations of a positive result from Ajax. Juventus supporters are going through the same thing with their club right now which is a total disaster, worse than Ajax.

same here, cannot get excited for this game. I think it will be a 3-0 or 4-1. sounds like 5 Ajax supporters ended up hospitalized after clashes last night

[SPL]

3 or 4-0 is what I expect.Sanchez has been out injured for a while so wont play 90 mins.Bergwijn back as left wing with Klaassen MF.Would prefer Kudus at 10 Brobbey striker.

[kezme44]

I have no words how bad blind has become

[Orange14]

Awful defending on both Napoli goals. Blind to blame on the first and maybe Taylor on the 2nd. At least Ajax is getting the ball up field and has had some shots on goal. Brobbey needs to come on and Klaassen off (he's not a useful player against teams like this). I'll be happy to see if Ajax can score.

[Orange14]

I have no words how bad blind has become

Just baffling how he is even playing. I would rather have kept Schuurs and played him on the left side.

[SPL]

Agree Brobbey must come on, Kudus is not a striker and both Klaassen and Blind should not be playing,they are not good enough anymore.

4 or 5-1 for final score

[Orange14]

It has to be Klaassen!!!

[kezme44]

that is a ridiculous penalty call

[kezme44]

blind you useless piece of shit. there is no way you can start this guy anymore, not even in the eredivisie

[Orange14]

Ajax were so poorly organized on defense tonight conceding goals that most good teams would not. Two light penalties, one for each team but in the end Ajax are not good enough and go down 4-2 with the final margin coming on a Daley Blind gift. Ajax were much better at getting the ball up field and seemed to be organized offensively once they got it there but other than the Klaassen goal, did not trouble the Napoli keeper all that much. Mathematically, Ajax still have a chance of moving on to the group stage but that would require a massive performance against Liverpool in two weeks. Even a Europa League slot is not guaranteed and that may come down to the final match day in Glasgow.

Player Ratings:

Pasveer (6) - no chance on any of the goals and saw his defense full of holes like a good Swiss cheese
Sanchez (5.5) - unconvincing, but he has just come back from an injury
Timber (6) - looked very unhappy out there
Blind (2) - did get his shirt on the right way and fortunately is out of contract next summer, two big pluses on the night (I hope van Gaal was watching this match!!!)
Bassey (4.5) - looking more and more like a great athlete who cannot play football
Alvarez (5.5) - tried to keep the MF organized but did not have much luck
Taylor (5.5) - much better game until he came off with an injury, provided an outlet to break the pressure and handled the ball well
Klaassen (5.5) - scored a typical Klaassen goal with a good run but that was the extent of his night
Berghuis (5) - average on the night
Kudus (4.5) - END THE EXPERIMENT NOW!!!!
Bergwijn (6) - worked real hard and did get the ball in the attacking third but Napoli were too well organized
Brobbey (6) - drew a questionable penalty
Baas (5.5) - had a couple of good moments
Grillitch (5) - average and at least we did not pay a lot of €s for him
Conceicao (NR) - on late but showed that he is super quick
Ocampos (NR) - don't think he had a touch and I hope Seville take him back in January

Home to Exelsior this Sunday

[SPL]

A better 2nd half ,not really sure why they got a penalty and ours was a bit light. Blind's mistake is sad as this guy has been good but now is too slow and we must hope Overmars comes along in January and takes him to Antwerp.Klaassen a good goal but did little,he should just be used as a sub.

As for the other defenders I agree with Orange's ratings and comments.We paid 10m for Wijndal but for the last game or 2 Baas comes on ahead of him. What a crazy signing.A quality LCD is needed in January.

For the last 10 mins Conceicao looked quick and must get more playing time. Kudus must not be played as a striker again.

[Orange14]

Schreuder's post match comments are delusional.

[Tom_]

I don’t know what to say really. The conclusion for me is that Ajax went shopping for second tier players, spent a lot of money but came up with a squad that’s a long way short on quality compared to the last few years. They just don’t have the resources to compete at the European top unless there is an exceptional batch of youth players.

I suppose in hindsight they should’ve promoted some players from Jong Ajax instead. I guess the outcome in the CL would have been similar, but at least those players would get a shot in the first team.

Rangers lost to Liverpool so we have a good chance at third place, but I’m not holding my breath for a long EL run.

[Orange14]

Rangers lost to Liverpool so we have a good chance at third place, but I’m not holding my breath for a long EL run.

Europa League knockout round could be rough. It looks like Arsenal, ManU, Real Sociedad will progress from the group stage. Athletico Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, & Juventus might be the CL teams that drop down.

[SPL]

I agree our shopping this summer was 2nd tier. Bergwijn and Bassey are not top players and we probably paid too much for them.Several ex players ,journos in Holland saying so. Wijndal for 10m when we had Salah-Eddine and Baas as cover was a joke .
Ocampos we nearly wasted 25m on but hopefully Sevilla want him back.

Of the others the only one who should be starting is Brobbey but we paid 16m to get him back ! Grillitsch didn't do anything last night and I do wonder if Fitz-Jim could do worse. Unuvar should never have been loaned out .

Problem now we have Blind ,Klaassen Tadic all need replacing and Timber and Alvarez will likely go next summer. Last summer we could have got 60m for Timber and 50m for Alvarez but after a poor CL Alvarez 30m and Timber maybe 40 to 50m.No one else is going to fetch much more than 30m max .

In the youth the next potential top players are not ready ,Vos,Misehouy Hato and Muzumbo .